Congo bans gatherings in areas far from Ebola outbreak. Some say it limits dissent

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) – Opposition and civil society groups are protesting Congo’s new ban on public demonstrations and mass gatherings in the capital and other areas far from the country’s deadly Ebola outbreak, alleging that the decision aims to limit freedom of speech.

Consumer confidence ticks up as gas prices fall but Americans remain gloomy

WASHINGTON (AP) – Americans’ attitudes toward the economy improved slightly this month as gas prices declined, but their outlook is still mostly negative by historical standards. The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index rose 0.6 point to 91.2 in June, a figure that is still below its year-ago reading of 95.2.

Today in History: June 30, Night of the Long Knives

Today in History Today is Tuesday, June 30, the 181st day of 2026. There are 184 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On June 30, 1934, Adolf Hitler launched his “blood purge” of political and military rivals in Germany in what came to be known as the “Night of the Long Knives.”

Editorials from The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Guardian and others

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

Top Asia Pacific Breaking News: Latest Updates

The instructions were clear: He had four days to make each victim fall in love. And there were a lot of victims. Online, Safeer Mohammed Koorimannil, who was trafficked to a scam center in Myanmar, impersonated a 28-year-old Singaporean woman named Ella. On a typical shift, he said, he chatted with more than 100 people.

House GOP deadlocks over Trump's demands, sending lawmakers home early

WASHINGTON (AP) – Whither the U.S. House? As the nation celebrates its 250th birthday this weekend, the legislative branch has momentarily called it quits. The House leadership on Tuesday abruptly canceled votes and sent lawmakers home early for the holiday recess.

Explosion in Monaco injuries Ukrainian tycoon with ties to Russia

PARIS (AP) – A blast from an explosive device has seriously injured three people at a residential building in Monaco, and the attacker fled to France, local authorities said. French and Ukrainian media reported that a Ukrainian magnate and his family were those injured.

Four days to make victims fall in love: How global scammers fleece people

The instructions were clear: He had four days to make each victim fall in love. And there were a lot of victims. Online, Safeer Mohammed Koorimannil, who was trafficked to a scam center in Myanmar, impersonated a 28-year-old Singaporean woman named Ella. On a typical shift, he said, he chatted with more than 100 people.

Iran says this. The US says that. A look at the trickiest issues

The United States and Iran have less than 60 days to negotiate a permanent end to the war, but they still seem to be at odds over the interim deal they reached this month. It’s not even clear when the two sides will meet again. “The situation is sensitive and complex,” a senior Iranian negotiator, Kazem Gharibabadi, posted Monday on X.